Military News

Monday, April 06, 2015

4/6/2015 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Air
Force Global Strike Command recently completed a pair of simultaneous
long-range bomber missions in two geographic combatant commands,
enabling units to become familiar with operating in different regions of
the globe.

April 1-2, two B-52H Stratofortresses from the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air
Force Base, N.D., and a pair from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force
Base, La., completed nonstop roundtrip sorties from their home stations
on to the Arctic and North Sea regions, respectively.

Dubbed Polar Growl, the U.S. Strategic Command training mission was
flown in support of both U.S. European Command and U.S. Northern Command
and was specifically designed to demonstrate the United States'
commitment to Allies and enhancement of regional security.

"These flights, demonstrating the credible and flexible ability of our
strategic bomber force in internationally-recognized flight information
regions, are the culmination of months of planning and coordination,"
said Adm. Cecil D. Haney, U.S. Strategic Command commander. "They are
one of many ways we demonstrate interoperability, compliance with
national and international protocols and due regard for the safety of
all aircraft sharing the air space."

Polar Growl allowed the bomber aircrews to hone their navigation skills
and enhanced their ability to work with Allied partners. The
simultaneous flights also tested the bomber force's command and control
apparatus' ability to support two synchronized flight paths.
Additionally, bomber crews flying the North Sea route participated in
dissimilar air intercept maneuvers with fighter aircraft flown by the
Royal Canadian Air Force, the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and the
Royal Netherlands Air Force.

"The long-range nature of the mission, coupled with the opportunity to
interact, in real-time, with Allied aircraft was an invaluable
experience that simply can't be replicated out of the cockpit," said
Maj. Nathan Barnhart, a 343rd Bomb Squadron instructor radar navigator
at Barksdale. "Training like this ensures we are ready to respond to any
and all mission directives across the globe."

Bomber crews on the Arctic leg of the mission transited around the North
Pole, providing the crews invaluable training in polar navigation. They
also conducted dissimilar air intercept maneuvers with Royal Canadian
Air Force fighters.

"There are a rare number of opportunities to practice Polar Navigation.
The training that the crews received from the Polar Growl mission was
invaluable," said the 5th Operations Support Squadron's nuclear
operations center chief at Minot. "We continue to update the knowledge
base of the crew force through squadron and operation discussions of
these events to share experiences and techniques to keep the sword sharp
in the many mission sets the B-52 Stratofortress is responsible for."

From active-duty and reserve aircrews, maintainers, and support
personnel generating and controlling the bomber missions, to active-duty
and Air National Guard refueling, each of the two legs of Polar Growl
provided unique training opportunities for the Total Force.

"This is a great Total Force Enterprise mission bringing unparalleled
experience to reserve aircrew operating in conjunction with active duty
aircrew while demonstrating interoperability and readiness to our Allies
around the world," said Lt. Col. Robert Burgess, 343rd Bomb Squadron
commander. "TFE is a way to bring the smallest, oldest and busiest Air
Force together to maintain the capabilities necessary for demands of
today's operational tempos."

The United States regularly conducts combined training and theater
security cooperation engagements with Allies and partners. The combined
training provided in Polar Growl follows the participation of B-52s in
NATO Exercise Noble Justification in October and the deployment of B-52s
and B-2s to RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, in June, both of which
provided occasions to train alongside U.S. Allies and partners.

"Today's dynamic global security environment is an interdependent world
where international partnerships are foundational," Haney said.
"Exercises and operations such as these bomber flights enable and
enhance relationships with our Allies and partners, and allow others to
understand what capabilities U.S. Strategic Command brings to the
equation."

The B-52 is capable of delivering large payload of precision nuclear or
conventional ordnance over long ranges, while also providing decision
makers the ability to rapidly project military power and generate
decisive effects.

"Polar Growl was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the awesome
capability of the B-52," said a 69th Bomb Squadron pilot from Minot who
participated in the mission. "The maintainers, support personnel and
aircrew did an excellent job showcasing the BUFF's ability to project
combat power anywhere in the world."

Polar Growl was not directed at any country. To enhance regional safety
and to prevent any chance of misunderstanding, U.S. forces conduct these
flights in accordance with the procedures outlined in the International
Civil Aviation Organization international standards and recommended
practices.

WASHINGTON, April 6, 2015 – U.S. re-emphasis on the
Asia-Pacific region makes sense regionally and globally, Defense Secretary Ash
Carter said at Arizona State University today.

The secretary spoke at the John McCain Institute in Tempe,
Arizona, as the first part of a trip that takes him to Japan, South Korea and
Hawaii.

The secretary’s speech aimed to push for quick passage of
the Trade Promotion Authority for President Barack Obama, “so that he can
ensure America gets the best deal in a historic new trade agreement with eleven
other Asia-Pacific countries: the Trans-Pacific Partnership.”

Carter stressed that while the rebalance to the Asia-Pacific
region has a military component, it is a whole-of-government approach. Since World
War II, the United States has underwritten security in the region. This has
allowed nations like Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam,
Indonesia and China to develop and thrive.

Decades-old Alliances

America is a Pacific power and will remain one, Carter said,
noting that the United States will continue to engage with nations in the
Asia-Pacific region. Carter said his stops in Japan and South Korea highlight
the importance of America’s decades-old alliances with both countries.

But the United States is doing more, he added. The newest
and most capable weapons systems will go first to the region. When movements
are completed, he said, 60 percent of the U.S. fleet will be in the
Pacific-Indian Ocean area. U.S. Marines already have a rotational presence in
Australia, Carter said, and U.S. and Filipino authorities are working on ways
to strengthen military-to-military cooperation.

To secure its enduring interests in the Asia-Pacific region,
the United States is “changing, too, with our rebalance to the Asia-Pacific,”
Carter said.

The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing economic growth, and
the United States must have access to those markets, the secretary said. He
noted that more than half of the Earth’s population will live in the region by
2050. Over the next 15 years, he added, there will be rapid middle-class growth
across the Asia-Pacific, to the point that it will make up “60 percent of
global middle-class consumption.”

Democracies Increase in Asia-Pacific Region

The American presence has helped shape the region, said
Carter, noting there’s been a fourfold increase in the number of democracies in
the region.

“Following our lead, countries across the Asia-Pacific have
also embraced free and open commerce, fidelity to the rule of law, and a
rules-based international order,” the secretary said.

American strengths in security, economy and diplomacy “are
multiplied by America’s unrivaled network of allies and partners -- nations
both in the region and around the world who seek our friendship, not because of
our power alone or through coercion, but because of the gravitational pull of
our ideals, values, and goodwill,” Carter said. “These ties, tended to with
careful diplomacy, are what make America’s global strength so unique throughout
history and today.”

The secretary said he wants to expand the reach of these
alliances and for America’s allies in the Asia-Pacific region to do more
together. Carter said the United States is working with Japan and South Korea
to build an information-sharing arrangement, adding that the United States is
working with Australia and Japan to strengthen maritime security.

And the United States is working with India, Carter said.

“In January, we agreed to an update of our bilateral Defense
Framework -- the first update in 10 years,” he said. “It will open up new ways
to expand the U.S.-India relationship, such as on maritime security, and new
opportunities to cooperate on high-end technologies, for example, jet engines
and aircraft carrier design.”

China’s Influence in the Asia-Pacific Region

Carter then discussed China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific.

“Some people would have you believe that China will displace
America in the Asia-Pacific or that its economic growth will somehow squeeze
out opportunities,” he said. “But I reject the zero-sum thinking that China’s
gain is our loss because there is another scenario in which everyone wins --
and it is a continuation of the decades of peace and stability anchored by a
strong American role, in which all Asia-Pacific countries continue to rise and
prosper. This is the scenario we seek in the ongoing rebalance.”

Yet, many observers are concerned about the scope of China’s
military modernization efforts, China’s actions in cyberspace, and Chinese
behavior in the East and South China Seas, the secretary said.

“These are concerns we raise with our Chinese counterparts
on a regular basis,” he said.

Carter then turned to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. “As
secretary of defense, I never forget that our military strength ultimately
rests on the foundation of our vibrant, unmatched and growing economy,” he
said. “[The Trans-Pacific Partnership] is so important because of its enormous
promise for jobs and growth across our nation’s economy. It is expected to
increase U.S. exports by $125 billion in the next decade, supporting
high-quality jobs.”

While good for jobs, the partnership also makes strategic
sense, the secretary said.

“In terms of our rebalance in the broadest sense, passing
TPP is as important to me as another aircraft carrier,” Carter said. “TPP would
deepen our alliances and partnerships abroad and underscore our lasting
commitment to the Asia-Pacific. And it would help us promote a global order
that reflects both our interests and our values.”

4/3/2015 - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- At
the invitation of the Air National Guard Director of Safety,
representatives from United Airlines recently visited the ANG Readiness
Center.

The purpose of their visit was to share best practices and recent
innovations related to the carrier's Safety Management System and
Aviation Safety Action Program, both of which are based on the notion of
"just culture" safety reporting.

Lt Col Dave Paulsgrove, a United Airlines pilot currently on military
leave as he serves with the Air National Guard safety directorate,
coordinated the visit. Paulsgrove serves as manager of the ANG's
proactive flight safety programs, which include SMS and ASAP, among
others. This visit by United Airlines officials comes on the heels of a
recent ANG Safety visit to American Airlines to discuss implementation
of similar program there.

Like many ANG pilots who pull double duty as commercial pilots,
Paulsgrove has witnessed the positive safety impact of an effective ASAP
and was a vocal proponent of bringing SMS to the Air Force as well.

"The opportunity to bring together both sides of my aviation career,
military and civilian, in the name of safety is definitely a career
highlight." said Paulsgrove.

United Airlines boasts an industry-leading, fully matured Safety
Management System that directly led to fewer safety mishaps. Like many
airlines, United instituted SMS following a mandate by the Federal
Aviation Administration for scheduled air carriers to adopt the
program. Recently, the United States Air Force followed suit.

"ANG airmen have unmatched private sector connections due to their
parallel civilian/military career tracks." said Col Edward Vaughan,
Director of Safety. "This remains a largely untapped resource for the
Air Force. Leveraging those unique connections in forums like this
helps position the ANG at the leading edge of Air Force safety
practice."

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the goal of an SMS is
to improve safety by addressing underlying organizational issues that
may result in accidents or incidents.

United officials shared ways to launch an SMS program. They explained
that a mature SMS includes an organization-wide safety policy; formal
methods for proactively identifying hazards, controlling, and
continually assessing risk; and promotion of a safety culture.

"Safety promotion is a crucial part of an SMS." said Paulsgrove. "This
helps create a Just Culture philosophy that encourages the reporting of
threats and errors by front line employees without the fear of
punishment or criticism."

As a part of Just Culture, United Airlines established an
industry-leading Aviation Safety Action Program, which touches every
employee division and is only one of three U.S. airlines that have a
fully functional Ground Safety Action Program.

The ANG operates more than16 aircraft types, ranging from the Air Force
F-22 Raptor to C-17 Loadmaster III, and Remotely Piloted Aircraft, there
is a pressing requirement to employ such a program across all ANG
operated aircraft, as well as non-flying missions. Likewise, it is
critical to employ the expertise of civilian field experts to ensure an
effective program is implemented.

4/6/2015 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- They
are there when you need them. The personnel of Joint Base
Elmendorf-Richardson's Emergency Management office work hard planning
for, mitigating and responding to emergencies that may result in death,
injury, destruction of property, or disruption in operations.

"The primary mission of the Air Force Emergency Management Program is to
save lives, minimize the loss or degradation of resources, and sustain
and restore operational capability in hazardous environments at Air
Force installations worldwide," said Tech. Sgt. Leslie Baxter, JBER
Emergency Management noncommissioned officer in charge of plans and
operations.

Being prepared for contingency operations is a must, and the military is no different.
The Air Force EM program examines potential emergencies and disasters
based on risks posed by likely hazards, develops and implements programs
aimed at reducing the impact of such events, prepares for risks that
cannot be eliminated, and prescribes actions required to deal with
consequences of actual events and to recover from those events, Baxter
said.

Baxter said in addition to their primary mission, emergency management
technicians maintain ancillary missions that include support of homeland
defense, civil support operations, and support to civil and host nation
authorities in accordance with Department of Defense directives.

Preparedness is crucial to mitigating disasters, since emergencies can happen at any time with little or no warning.

Alaska has several natural and man-made hazards which give little or no
notice, include earthquakes, windstorms, wildfires, volcanoes, floods,
hazardous-materials spills and house fires.

"We have to be ready for the 'what if' situation," said Jilene Reichle,
JBER emergency management plans and operations specialist.

JBER emergency managers must have plans ready to deal with a variety of
natural disasters in Alaska, such as the 1964 earthquake.

According to the Alaska Earthquake Center, the 9.2-magnitude earthquake
was the second-largest ever recorded and lasted about four minutes. It
devastated 1.3 million square kilometers, killed 115 Alaskans and
resulted in approximately $300 to $400 million in damage.

"The quake of '64 helped bring the reality that disasters do actually happen here," Reichle said.

The JBER Emergency Management Office sets-up base-wide drills and
routinely travels off base to remind people to prepare for disasters.

The American Red Cross recommends maintaining an emergency preparedness
kit in the event of disaster. Kits should be tailored to threats
associated with your area, but still contain the basics.

The Red Cross suggests the following items as a basic preparedness kit:

Water: one gallon per person, per day; three-day supply for evacuation, two-week supply for home

During their week-long visit to Ramstein, the aircrew refueled more than 20 A-10s, honing their ability to keep aircraft flying.

"Our main goal here is fueling the A-10s for their deployment in support
of Operation Atlantic Resolve," said Capt. Bobby Stanford, 100th Air
Refueling Wing pilot. "It's been really successful. Everyday we've been
able to refuel aircraft so they can complete their mission."

Inside the KC-135, co-pilots took part in the natural progression of their career field.

"Two of our pilots were also able to perform aircraft commander upgrade
training," Stanford said. "It is required on-the-job training for a
co-pilot to become an aircraft commander. As a co-pilot, your primary
duty is to learn the aircraft and become proficient in flying. As an
aircraft commander, you are required to take it a step further by
becoming responsible for making decisions concerning the execution of
the mission and ensuring the safety of everyone on board."

Pilots weren't the only ones training thousands of feet above Ramstein.
Members of the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron also had the
opportunity to train on board a KC-135 as it flew overhead.

"The KC-135 is one of the primary aircraft used by the Air Force for
aeromedical evacuation," said Tech. Sgt. William Johnson, 86th AES
aeromedical evacuation technician. "Ramstein doesn't have any assigned,
but it's still vital that our flight nurses and aeromedical evacuation
technicians are familiar with the aircraft and have the opportunity to
exercise the aircraft specific requirements. This provides (the European
Command) and (African Command) with aeromedical evacuation crew members
who are always ready."

Airmen from the 100th ARW also learned more about aeromedical evacuation from working firsthand with the 86th AES.

"I've been out here doing aerial refueling, but a big portion has also
been coordinating with the aeromedical teams," said Senior Airman
DeVaughn Granger, 100th ARW boom operator. "The first day was eye
opening because we don't see a lot of aeromedical missions. I've only
worked with aeromedical teams twice in my four-year career. I was able
to read my Air Force Instructions then see it in front of me. The
experience really put one and one together."

The knowledge gained from this training not only developed Airmen, it
also strengthens the United States' commitment to Europe, demonstrating
its dedication to peace and stability in the region.

4/2/2015 - Ämari Air Base, Estonia -- At
the invitation of the Estonian government, American pilots from the
510th Fighter Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy, have a unique
opportunity to learn the value of the Forward Air Control (Airborne)
mission with Estonians from Amari Air Base and U.S. instructor pilots
from Luke Air Force Base.

FAC(A)s provide control of both airborne and ground forces in a close
air support role and work closely with the ground commander to
coordinate ground targets and de-conflict air assets. This flying
training event ensures that pilots gain valuable experience with
low-level flying and work with Estonian Joint Terminal Attack
Controllers on the nearby Tapa Range.
"JTACs cannot be everywhere," said USMC Capt. Jonathan Bearce, F-16
Fighting Falcon exchange pilot. "A lot of things are happening on the
ground and there are some inherent risks.
FAC(A)s can be that calm voice on the radio for that guy on the ground because he is in a bad situation."

Bearce is one of two U.S. FAC(A) instructor pilots from Luke Air Force
Base working with 510th FS pilots in Estonia to ensure that the skillset
is practiced and perfected. His previous experience as an AV-8B Harrier
pilot brings a unique outlook on close air support missions to F-16
pilots.

"I enjoy bringing a little different perspective as a Marine pilot
attached to an Air Force unit," said Bearce. "The students will all be
better fighter pilots after going through the FAC(A) upgrade and it's
always awesome to be a part of that."

Since the Vietnam War, qualifying F-16 pilots to become FAC(A)s has
slowly diminished throughout the Air Force. Typically, units send FAC(A)
students to the 310th Fighter Squadron for a month-long course at Luke
AFB. At the request of the 510th FS, a Mobile Training Team was
established to bring school house IPs to Estonia. By the end of the TDY,
four pilots will be FAC(A) qualified and an additional three pilots
will be FAC(A) qualified as IPs.

"I think it's great to have Luke AFB IPs out here who have a completely
different perspective flying with students all the time," said Capt.
Donald Davis, a 510th FS F-16 pilot who recently attended the FAC(A)
course at Luke AFB. "With the Air Force constantly changing and the way
things are moving, we'll be the ones who will have to keep this training
going."
According to Bearce, the 510th FS is 1 of 6 F-16 squadrons that are
required to be proficient in the FAC(A) mission. Capt. Kalev Piirisild,
an Estonia pilot and project officer for the Amari Air Base FTD, is
helping pilots master this qualification.

Piirisild joined the flying academy in Estonia in 2006 and has always
had an avid interest in other air forces and their CAS missions.
"For me, it's fairly easy to work with the U.S.," said Piirisild.
"FAC(A) pilots are a really vital part of the mission, especially when
you don't have people on the ground. Most FAC(A)s come from the A-10
community, but working with the 510th FS has been unique because they're
an F-16 squadron."

Piirisild has been working with the 510th FS since early last year to
plan this flying training event, and attributes its success to the
professionalism and knowledge of the pilots.
"It's important to work with all NATO allies because if we ever go to
war, we have to understand each other and understand how different
nations function," said Piirisild. "The main mission is to enhance
cooperation between the United States Air Force, NATO and Estonia."

With understanding cooperation on an international level comes the
understanding of teamwork on a tactical level--which is why the FAC(A)
mission remains a crucial skill to exercise in a foreign environment
with ground forces.

"The JTAC and the FAC(A) are a team that brings a powerful punch to the
battlefield," said Bearce. "There has been nothing more rewarding in my
career than working with a JTAC on the ground providing over-watch for
him and his ground unit so they can go home to their families."

As part of the deployment, the U.S. and Romanian air forces will be
flying together over the plateaus in the heart of Transylvania for
Dacian Thunder 2015.

The U.S. Air Force's 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's 12 A-10
Thunderbolt II aircraft and the Romanian air force's 71st Air Base's
MiG-21 fighter aircraft will conduct the training to increase relations
and interoperability while building upon both nations' joint
capabilities and ensuring a stronger partnership.

About 200 Airmen and support equipment from the 355th Fighter Wing at
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, and the 52nd Fighter Wing at
Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, will participate as a combat capable
force able to respond to a wide variety of operations.

The A-10 supports Air Force missions around the world as part of the
U.S. Air Force's current inventory of strike platforms, including F-15
and F-16s. As part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, the aircraft will
later forward deploy to locations in to reassure Eastern European NATO
countries.

"The TSP is another way the Air Force is increasing rotational presence
in Europe to reassure our allies and partner nations that our commitment
to European security is a priority," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom
Jones, USAFE-AFAFRICA vice commander.

The theater security package serves as part of a routine deployment of
additional fighter squadrons, support personnel and equipment aimed to
bolster U.S. forces in Europe on a rotating basis. Theater security
package rotations have been occurring in the Pacific region since 2004.

"The U.S. Air Force's forward presence in Europe provides the support
infrastructure needed to increase our current force and build new and
deeper partnerships across the continent," Jones said.

One of those deeper partnerships being enhanced will be with the 354th EFS's hosts in Romania.

"The men and women of the 354th EFS are excited to train and integrate
with the Romanian air force, specifically the 71st Air Base here at
Campia Turzii," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Steven Behmer, 354th EFS
commander. "Our intent is to make clear that the United States is
committed to the security and stability of Eastern Europe and that we
are committed to standing side-by-side with our NATO allies."

U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa has conducted training
events like this in Romania in the past, including the recent Dacian
Warhawk 2015 between the Romanian Air Force and the 480th Expeditionary
Fighter Squadron assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, as well as
the previous Dacian Thunder with the A-10s in 2012.

"I'm sure we will achieve our objectives, will improve our proficiency
to increase the interoperability of our air forces, and that the bonds
between the American and Romanian air forces will tighten," said
Romanian air force Cmdr. Marius Oatu, 71st Air Base commander. "Anytime I
see the Stars and Stripes anywhere near our national flag, I'm sure
that the outcome will be outstanding."

TPST enable U.S. 3rd Fleet, PACAREA and MARPAC leadership to
come together to discuss current and future maritime operations between their
forces and to see the capabilities of various 3rd Fleet operational units while
strengthening the relationship between the Navy, Coast Guard and Royal Canadian
Navy.

Staffs from each command participated in working groups that
focused on maritime homeland security and defense, command, control,
communications, computers and joint exercises.

"It's meetings and talks like these that build upon our
joint interagency and international relationships that strengthen U.S. 3rd
Fleet's ability to respond to crises and protect the collective maritime
interests of U.S. and its allies and partners." said Floyd.

Following two days of information sharing, a number of goals
were discussed including enhancing relationships between the three partners,
closing gaps in maritime homeland security and defense, strengthening
joint-planning processes.

"Seeing first-hand the vast capabilities of the Navy
and how they interact with the Coast Guard and our Canadian partners is a
testament to the hard work these men and women put forth," said Ray.
"These staff talks are an excellent opportunity to help bolster relations
and assure maritime security through real-time interactions with Navy and
partner nation commander counterparts."

While in San Diego the admirals also had the opportunity to
tour the Littoral Combat Ship Training Facility, USS Freedom (LCS 1) and
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 1 units.

"The Three Party Staff Talks allow us to continue to
build upon our long-standing partnerships, re-affirm our common goals, and seek
out those opportunities where we can work together to ensure our collective
security" said Truelove. "Given how closely we operate and exercise
together, these talks, for me, take on great value."

PACAREA is the Coast Guard's regional command element and
force provider for maritime safety, security, and stewardship in the Pacific
from the U.S. Western States to Asia, and from the Arctic to Antarctica.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific
from the West Coast of North America to the international date line and
provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global
Navy.